Mizuki kept glancing nervously between the seal array he was carving and the still-bickering Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki. So far, no one had disturbed them. However, as the sounds of battle and chaos gradually faded away, Mizuki's unease grew stronger.
Suddenly, an intense wave of pain struck him, completely derailing his previously stable thoughts. Mizuki froze mid-motion, and the kunai in his hand clattered to the ground with a loud clang.
"What's wrong, Teacher Mizuki?" The sudden change startled both Sasuke and Naruto.
Mizuki didn't answer their question. Instead, he slowly rose unsteadily, leaning against the railing while carefully sorting through the memories flooding his mind.
『So it's already dead—the first Artificial Jinchuriki. Itachi Uchiha... This feeling of being burned by Amaterasu... truly unbearable.』
When Mizuki sent out the Artificial Jinchuriki clone to interfere in a confrontation involving someone of Itachi's caliber, he had already sensed that it might not return. Yet for it to be so thoroughly incapacitated by Amaterasu and then self-destruct after just briefly causing some interference was more devastating than expected.
『The gap in raw power was just too great… All my strategies crushed under overwhelming strength.』
That kind of overwhelming defeat forced Mizuki to confront the harsh reality. Even though it had only been a clone of the Artificial Jinchuriki, even if the original had gone at full strength, the outcome probably wouldn't have improved significantly. Above all, he lacked techniques powerful enough to bring him into the ranks of true elites. If things continued like this, his skills would remain at about Kurenai Yuhi's level—only strong enough to overwhelm ninja like Iruka or Ebisu.
『Sage Mode is the entry ticket into the upper echelons of battle power in this world. I must master it quickly.』
Moreover, Sage Mode would definitely provide some relief to Mizuki's current physical condition. Its powerful restorative abilities could mend the lingering damage inside his body. Although these wouldn't directly increase his chakra reserves, they might buy him additional time.
"Teacher Mizuki, should we call a doctor?" Naruto asked, concern evident in his tone. Next to him, Sasuke also looked on with evident worry. Just a few days ago, after defeating Gaara, when Orochimaru had suddenly launched an ambush, Mizuki's sealing and barrier techniques had made quite an impression on Sasuke. And even then, he'd never seen Mizuki this tense—the current barrier was clearly far more intricate than the previous one.
Unlike Naruto, Sasuke immediately understood what was happening. Mizuki's behavior clearly indicated preparation for confrontation with a terrifying enemy. The pressure radiating from him felt as intense as Orochimaru's previous threat.
"No need, Naruto," Mizuki shook his head. "Nobody around here knows medical ninjutsu better than I do."
"Really?" Naruto shot back doubtfully, clearly skeptical of Mizuki's boastful-sounding claim.
"Cut the crap, Naruto," Sasuke interrupted before Naruto could continue. "Teacher Mizuki, are you okay now?"
"Mm, I'm fine."
After finishing off the shocking memories from the Artificial Jinchuriki, Mizuki finally came back to himself.
Seeing that Mizuki was alright, Sasuke felt relieved too. If a real strong enemy showed up, even with both Sasuke and Naruto teaming up, they still wouldn't stand a chance.
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Well actually, there is," Mizuki replied after thinking for a moment. "Naruto, you sit on that seal pattern over there and start cultivating chakra, channeling it into the formation beneath us. Sasuke, you protect Naruto. Remember, no one gets near that formation until I say Naruto can leave — no one." Mizuki emphasized again, just to make sure Sasuke understood.
"I understand," Uchiha Sasuke nodded solemnly.
"Hey Teacher Mizuki, why don't you give me some fighting tasks instead? Just sitting here while that loser Sasuke protects me? No way!"
"Naruto..." Mizuki responded calmly to the sulking boy. "Let me be straightforward. If this step fails, all of us might die very soon..."
Mizuki could've powered the barrier himself if he had to, but he needed to stay focused for the upcoming battle as the main fighter. Splitting his focus like that wouldn't end well — not in a fight like this. Having Naruto's assistance ahead of time saved Mizuki quite a bit of trouble.
The seriousness in Mizuki's voice actually scared Naruto — and that never happened. "All die? You're kidding, right?" The first time he'd faced death was back in the Land of Waves, when Haku died — that moment had shocked him deeply, making him realize for the first time that being a ninja wasn't all fun and games. Then during the Chunin Exams, another deadly conflict occurred — even Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't escape death then.
Confronted once more by such a grim topic, even Naruto stopped fooling around.
"I understand, Teacher Mizuki..."
"Don't rush things," Mizuki instructed. "Just follow your usual method steadily. Until I tell you to stop, don't worry about what's happening outside. I'll protect all of you."
Once he made sure the two Genin were properly prepared, and after completing his final preparations himself, Mizuki had nothing left to do but wait for the enemies to arrive.
"I wonder who will show up. Except for Obito Uchiha and Zetsu, who else could pull off covert maneuvers like this?"
As Mizuki waited, suddenly a massive orange-red warrior-like giant figure appeared at a distance where Gamahiro, Jiraiya's summoned beast, had previously stood guard. It wielded a massive blade. Its fierce face radiated such terrifying power and pressure that even from a distance, Mizuki felt the urge to look away just from glancing at it.
[Susanoo?]
"Now *that's* impressive. First Amaterasu, then who knows if Tsukuyomi'll do anything, and now he's pulling out Susanoo too — the kind of power that burns through your chakra. Throwing all that around so casually… If he keeps this up, his eyes won't make it to next year, let alone three years from now."
Granted, Itachi wasn't as sick as he'd get in three years — back when that damn disease started eating him alive from the inside. Still, pushing his Mangekyo Sharingan and his own chakra this hard in such a short time had to be tearing his body apart.
"What is that?" Sasuke Uchiha asked, squinting at the distant orange-red figure of Susanoo. "That's still called Ninjutsu?!"
Mizuki blinked. "You really don't know?"
"I've never seen anything like this before. Are all the strong ninja outside this powerful?" Sasuke Uchiha muttered, almost to himself.
"Look, Sasuke... I can't tell you everything right now. Maybe one day, you'll get it..."
Mizuki couldn't believe it — Sasuke Uchiha, already with the Sharingan active, and he didn't even recognize Susanoo? Logically speaking, even though the Uchiha Clan was gone, there should have been records left behind. Ever since Madara's time, countless brilliant Uchiha had fallen trying to master the Mangekyo Sharingan — there should've been no shortage of documentation on its unique Dojutsu, especially Susanoo.
But maybe not knowing wasn't all bad. Mizuki couldn't afford to spill too many secrets just yet. If Sasuke Uchiha found out Itachi was back, who knew what reckless things hatred might drive him to do? For now, keeping him calm and in the dark wasn't a bad idea.
Sasuke Uchiha wanted to push further about Mizuki's vague answer, but after thinking for a moment, he held back. Deep down, he probably knew it was pointless anyway.
The three stood together on the hospital rooftop, silently watching the distant battle unfold — a fight far beyond what any ordinary shinobi could imagine. Gamahiro's strength was nothing to scoff at, and combined with Jiraiya's, they clearly had the upper hand. Itachi's Susanoo wasn't weak by any means, but without reaching its perfected form, it just wasn't strong enough to take on two opponents alone. If it weren't for Obito Uchiha and Zetsu waiting in the wings, keeping Jiraiya on edge, Itachi probably wouldn't last much longer.
"Teacher Mizuki, do you think Pervy Sage will win?" Naruto asked, eyes fixed anxiously on the chaos in the distance.
"Win?" Mizuki smirked slightly. "There are definitely people stronger than Lord Jiraiya in this world, but at least among our current enemies — none of them have reached that level yet."
Jiraiya's raw power was part of it, but Summoning played a huge role too. Back when he was still climbing, summoning got him through tough bottlenecks and kept him from dying early. Even now, without his beasts, Jiraiya was still strong — but becoming a true top-tier warrior meant having both Sage Mode and Summoned Beasts. With those advantages, he was able to hold off three opponents at once without getting overwhelmed.
"Is Pervy Sage *really* this strong?" Naruto thought, watching that monstrous swordsman in Susanoo go at it — how could you not worry seeing someone like that coming after Master Jiraiya?
"Naruto, is your Summoning still good? Defeating Gaara was quite an achievement—surely that's proof enough of your strength?" Defeating a Jinchuriki who had revealed the One-Tail wasn't just the result of luck. Mizuki pointed at Gamahiro and said, "That two-sworded frog over there isn't much weaker than Boss Frog Gamariki, so you don't have to worry."
"Is that true?" Naruto replied somewhat relieved. "No wonder you're Teacher Mizuki—you sure know a lot."
"I only know what needs to be known. Naruto, some things will become clear in time."
Naruto had no idea what Mizuki meant, but Sasuke looked like he was onto something—even if he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Someone's coming. Be careful…" Mizuki suddenly said, sensing something and warning Naruto and Sasuke, who had been watching the distant battle situation.
Before his voice even faded, the rooftop door creaked open, revealing a familiar figure standing there.
"Iruka-sensei?" Seeing the familiar face, Naruto instinctively wanted to step forward and greet him, but before he could move, Sasuke grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.
"Don't move recklessly."
"What the hell are you doing, Sasuke?"
"Have you forgotten Teacher Mizuki's instructions?"
"But this is Iruka-sensei we're talking about!"
Sasuke just shook his head and held Naruto's arm tighter.
"Naruto, Sasuke, so you're here. I didn't see you in the hospital room and was worried something happened to you. Now that I see you're safe, I feel reassured…" Smiling, Iruka started walking toward them.
But Iruka didn't get very far—Sasuke Uchiha blocked his path.
"What's wrong, Sasuke?" Iruka asked, wearing a puzzled expression.
"Yeah, Sasuke, move aside already—that's Iruka-sensei!"
Still shaking his head, Sasuke wouldn't let go of Naruto.
"[Looking at the trapped figure] That was your plan, Mizuki?" Mizuki sneered, interrupting. "You went through all this trouble?"
"Mizuki, what do you mean?" Iruka asked, his smile fading as he spoke seriously.
"You expect me not to recognize it when someone goes through so much effort?" Mizuki raised his hand and with a sweep motion, instantly trapped Iruka within a barrier, rendering him immobile.
"Found out already? What a shame..." Iruka's voice suddenly shifted into a rough, distorted version of itself. "I originally thought I could accomplish my goal quietly after luring the guards away, but I didn't expect there'd still be someone clever watching over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—such unexpected interference really is annoying."
"What's going on? It's fake?" The sudden change startled Naruto, while Sasuke, who had previously acted cautiously based on suspicion alone, finally relaxed slightly.
[A truly remarkable transformation technique.] "But why choose Iruka? At this hour, someone leaving the Ninja Academy is suspicious enough."
What Mizuki didn't say was that the [Transformation Jutsu] could mimic Iruka's presence and chakra so realistically, even someone with exceptional chakra sensing abilities like Mizuki himself might not be able to accurately determine at close range whether it was truly a White Zetsu duplicate. At that moment, anyone approaching Naruto without cause would instantly raise Mizuki's suspicions. At such a critical time, it was better to play it safe—even if he was wrong, there'd always be time to clear things up later. So under Mizuki's pressure, the impostor didn't put up much resistance before being exposed.
However, despite being discovered, this fake Iruka showed no sign of panic: "Since that's the case, then I'll just have to forcibly take the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Fortunately, there aren't many experts around—there isn't even a single Jonin here. Otherwise, this really would get complicated..."
Right after he spoke, dozens of ninja quickly appeared around the rooftop. Most wore Konoha forehead protectors, though a few were even disguised as ordinary villagers. Among them, the one who undoubtedly drew Mizuki's most attention was an eerie figure wearing a swirling mask covering one eye.
"Wait—is that Obito Uchiha? No… this is the real Tobi!"
One of the rare White Zetsu duplicates known for exceptional battle readiness—appearing unexpectedly here.
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